Just or generous?

Some people, maybe even many, are puzzled by today’s Gospel
parable. When we hear this story told by Jesus, we focus on the seeming
injustice of those who worked for only one hour being paid the same as those
who worked for a full day. The thrust of this parable, however, is not on
justice but on God’s generosity even to the latecomer.

There is a joyous Easter homily by St. John Chrysostom that says
in part, “If anyone has labored from the first hour, let them today receive the
just reward. If anyone has come at the third hour, with thanksgiving let them
feast. If anyone has arrived at the sixth hour, let them have no misgivings; or
they will suffer no loss. If anyone has delayed until the ninth hour, let them
not fear on the account of tardiness … For the Master … has mercy upon the last
and cares for the first … enter all of you, therefore, into the joy of our
Lord, and whether first or last, receive your reward.”

The point is not how long they answered the call when it came. The
call of the Lord to us to work in the vineyard can come at all the seasons of
our life. It may come when we are young or in middle age. It may come in our
senior years or even at the last moments. That call is proportionate to our
ability and energy.

Our God is a generous God. There is a time for justice when the
judgment comes. But now, in this life, is the time and season of mercy. We all
need to ask ourselves these questions.

The first is whether we want God with a “hair trigger” sending
punishment in the wake of every sin? How many saints would have survived the
vagaries of their youth to be able to experience the conversion of life that
led to their becoming saints if God had not been generous?

What about ourselves? Do we seek justice ahead of mercy? We know
that for ourselves, we want mercy. We expect it. We depend upon it. We plan on
it. Are we willing to be generous to others as the Lord is to us?

As has been said many times, we are a materially generous people.
We have seen the outpouring of help given to victims in times of natural
disasters. Are we willing to be as generous when it comes to forgiveness,
patience, tolerance and understanding? It is much easier to give someone a coat
rather than to give a second chance. It is much easier to give a check rather
than an encouraging word. It is much easier to give someone in need a box of
dry goods rather than to volunteer three hours of our time.

This parable speaks about God’s generosity to those who answer
His call at whatever hour that call may come.

Are we willing to be generous to others as God is to us? The
confessional that is found in every church is a reminder of God’s generosity to
us at whatever hour of life we answer the call.